| July 1, 2009 |
| Editor's Note |
|
The days are a little longer,
the sun is a little stronger, and our inner child is yearning to play
outside. Yes, summertime is upon
us! Among other summertime traditions,
this is the season for outdoor barbecues, parties and picnics. Taking mealtimes to the outdoors is a great family
activity, as well as a romantic date for two. A picnic can be an easy way to bring excitement to a weekday evening, or
it can be a special occasion, such as for a concert in the park, fireworks, or
a sunset dinner. Whatever the motivation, the end result is
sure to please any crowd.
In this newsletter we will
reveal a few easy ways to dress up your picnic basics: gourmet chicken sandwiches, risotto with peas and prosciutto,
homemade ice cream and more. We will
share with you some important picnic planning tips, as well as a few ways to be
friendly to the environment when picnicking.
Our guest writer will share with us some scenic images
from their recent seaside picnic for two.
You scream, the kids scream,
we all scream for ice cream! Our featured product in this newsletter speaks to
a summertime must, homemade ice cream. The Electric Ice Cream Maker by White Mountain can deliver 4 quarts of
delicious ice cream within just 30 minutes. This ice cream maker is easy to use and cleans up quickly. White
Mountain Ice Cream Makers have long been considered the best in America. There
is nothing better for making old fashioned ice cream!
Between the appetizing
photography and the delicious recipes, we hope to inspire you to plan a special
picnic this summer, and maybe even try some new ice cream flavors. Share your picnic stories and favorite ice
cream recipes with us on our blog at www.chefwannabee.com.
Have a very happy and safe
Fourth of July holiday!
Terry Retter
Managing Editor
Your Smart Kitchen Newsletter
chef@YourSmartKitchen.com
Editors Note: I put challenge out to all on Ping.fm which goes to Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and a lot of other places. The challenge was to define a good 4th of July promotion that would be suitable for our products. I am adding this challenge here as well but for the entry I like best, I will give a special award. So send me your suggestions at my email address above. The special award is not defined yet but it will be worth some thought on your part. |
|
A
Seaside Picnic For Two,
A Perfect Tuesday Evening |
By
Allison Baloglu, for Your Smart Kitchen
|
|
In this economy you often
hear people talking about having to cut back. Most of us have cut back in one or more ways. But what my husband and I are finding is that
cutting back on expenses does not have to mean cutting back on fun. There are plenty of terrific ways to stretch
your dollar, and to get out and enjoy ourselves. This week we transformed what started out as
an average Tuesday, into a romantic seaside escape.
 It is easy to come home from
work at the end of the day, watch TV, and slip into our same old routine. But today we packed our dinner into our
picnic basket, and enjoyed the California sunset that was within a few minutes
of our home. The weather report had
called for clouds, and possibly rain this morning, so when I stepped outside at
2:00pm and saw a clear sky, and felt the warmth of the sun, I decided a picnic
would be the perfect way to spend our Tuesday evening.
Picnics can be a great way
to not only try new recipes, but also to use up leftovers. We decided to make good use of our chicken
leftovers to create a gourmet chicken sandwich with roasted red bell peppers
and arugula for our picnic. Not only
were
we able to make use of our grilled chicken leftovers from the weekend,
we also saved ourselves time when preparing for the picnic by already
having cooked the poultry. Picnics also
are a great time to enjoy all of your favorite finger foods, like nuts and
watermelon slices. 
Our total preparation time
for the picnic was about 30 minutes, maybe a little more if you count the fact
that we had to pack toys and snacks for our dog too. So I guess it was technically a picnic for
three. Our dog, Hayley, also found the
picnic a great activity, she was able to roll around in the grass and watch
squirrels; while we dined on gourmet sandwiches, risotto with peas and
prosciutto, watermelon and a tasty Red, White and Blueberry dessert, which we
assembled at the picnic site quite easily. We also enjoyed a fun summertime refreshment, called an Arnold Palmer, which is a mix of equal parts lemonade and iced tea.
A little side note on the
menu for our picnic. We were not worried
about the risotto staying warm while we journeyed to the picnic site. Risotto is actually a fun grain to work
with. It can be eaten hot or cold. It can actually be substituted for sushi rice
in a pinch when making your own sushi rolls. The key to planning for a easy and enjoyable picnic, is picking items
for the menu that are easily served at the picnic site with little effort.
I think our favorite part
was after dinner, as we enjoyed the amazing sunset and relaxed there together
in the warmth of the evening sun. As the
sea spray touched our faces, we each took a deep breath and enjoyed the fresh
air. And we didn't miss the old routine,
not even for a second. There is
something about dining outdoors that is not only relaxing, but gives you an
overwhelming sense of gratitude for the beauty of the nature that we live
with. Whatever the occasion for a
picnic, and no matter the place, once you are there you will be glad you took
the time to plan it.
Featured Products
The Electric Ice Cream Maker by White Mountain You'll be ready for the hot days of Summer with
this White Mountain Ice Cream Maker. In about 30 minutes your family and
friends will have 4 quarts of this luscious cool dessert. No chemical
additives, just healthy organic milk, cream, and Omega 3 eggs. Try making a
fresh strawberry sorbet or lemon-ginger frozen yogurt for a less caloric
alternative. This ice cream maker is
easy to use and cleans up quickly. White Mountain Ice Cream Makers have long
been considered the best in America 4 1/2 to 5 stars on many opinion polls.
There is nothing better for making old fashioned ice cream!
Tips
Picnic Planning
The Menu -
- Chicken
and Arugula Sandwiches, (see recipe) wrapped in
parchment paper and tied with twine.
 Risotto
with Peas and Prosciutto, made ahead of time and
stored in a reusable bowl, covered with aluminum foil. Tip: simply make the risotto according to the
package's instructions and stir in cooked peas and chopped prosciutto at the final step.-
- Watermelon,
sliced ahead of time and stored in a Ziploc bag.
- Red,
White and Blueberry Dessert: homemade ice cream (see
recipe) or whipped cream atop a section of 3 lady fingers,
 topped with fresh
strawberries and blueberries (the berries are washed and cut ahead of time, and
stored in a small Ziploc bag) Tip: assemble at the picnic site. Pack the ice cream in a small reusable
plastic container and keep cool in your cooler or insulated bag until serving
time.
- Arnold
Palmer non-alcoholic cocktails: equal
parts lemonade and ice tea mixture (placed in a reusable plastic pitcher with
sealing lid). Tip: Place ice cubes in a reusable water bottle with a lid;
adding ice when serving the beverages is a nice touch.
Creating the scene -
When planning your picnic menu, strive to serve foods that can be held in hand
or only require a fork. It isn't always
easy to cut food at the picnic site. Choose appetizers, main dishes, salads and desserts that will travel
well and can be made ahead of time and can be served at room temperature. Think
bite size snacks like nuts, carrot sticks and snap peas. They also serve as
healthy alternatives to potato chips! Instead of lettuce-based salads, find
recipes for pasta and rice alternatives for your salads. Lettuce can get soggy,
and you also want to avoid packing bottles of salad dressing.
Preparation -
Try to have everything assembled before you leave for the picnic, the less you
have to do at the picnic site the better. If you plan a menu such as the one above, you won't have to do a lot of
work at the picnic site. Fill a wicker basket or a canvas bag with your
room-temperature foods and tableware. Fill another canvas bag, preferable an
insulated one, with the cold items such as the beverages and dessert. Toss in some frozen ice packs to keep your
cold items cool while at the picnic site.
Be "Green" -
Use parchment paper or wax paper instead of plastic wrap or throw away
containers for the sandwiches. Paper is a more environmentally friendly
option. Try to pack reusable plastic
plates and glasses. A lot of local
grocery stores and drug stores have these items on display for the summertime
season, and often at great sale prices. Avoid using and throwing away paper
plates and plastic utensils when possible, it is not that hard to do and the
earth will thank you for it! Bring along
some empty plastic grocery sacks to toss your dirty dishes into at the end of
the picnic, that way you can carry them home to be washed, and not dirty your
canvas bags.
Must Have Extras - Don't
forget to pack a large blanket or sheet to sit on, and a tablecloth for your
dining area. Pack pillows or beach chairs for seating. And don't forget napkins or paper towels for
your guests, and a hand towel from the kitchen (in case you have any spills,
and as extra padding when packing items). Last but not least, bring your camera!
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Recipes
|
Gourmet Chicken Sandwiches
Yields 6 sandwiches (reduce by half
for 3 sandwiches)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of plain Greek style
yogurt
- 4 teaspoons of honey Dijon mustard
- ½ cup arugula, chopped
- Freshly ground pepper and sea salt,
to taste
- 1 16oz jar of roasted red bell
peppers
- 4 small boneless chicken breasts,
cooked and sliced diagonally into strips
- 6 (5 inch)baguettes of French bread,
cut lengthwise into halves
- 2 large bunches of arugula
Preparation
In a small bowl, combine the yogurt
and mustard and add the chopped arugula and fresh ground pepper. Set aside. The
yogurt mixture can be made up to 1 day ahead of time and stored in the
refrigerator, covered.
 Spread 2 teaspoons (or more to
taste) of the yogurt mixture on the sides of each bread half. Begin layering
the arugula, chicken and then bell peppers on the bottom halves. Top with the
remaining bread halves. Wrap tightly in
wax paper. Sandwiches can be chilled for up to 4 hours before being transported
to the picnic, they will come to room temperature while you make your way to
the picnic site.
Variation:
Try substituting steak instead of the chicken and adding 1-2 teaspoons of
horseradish to the yogurt mixture. This is a great way to make use of leftover
chicken or steak. You can also try substituting grilled portobello mushrooms
for your vegetarian guests.
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Makes 4 quarts
Ingredients
- 8 cups half-and-half, light cream, or milk
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla
- 2 cups whipping cream
Preparation
In a large
bowl, combine the milk, sugar and vanilla, and stir until the sugar is
dissolved. Stir  in the whipping
cream. Freeze the mixture in a 4 or 5
quart ice cream freezer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Variation:
For strawberry ice cream, add 4 cups fresh strawberries, blended in a blender
or food processor, to the mixture when you add the whipped cream.
Photography by Allison Creative
|
Comments Received |
|
"You have a great selection at great prices. Looking forward to more culinary goodies from you."
MB from
Roslindale, MA
"When I saw your email, I was amazed and so happy!! What great customer service!!! Thank you for making it easy for me!!"
VR from
Capitola. CA
|
| Questions or Suggestions |
If you have any questions regarding this newsletter, products, recipes or just want to express on opinion, please send us a note.
We would also like your ideas of topics we should cover in future issues of this newsletter
Lastly, if you cannot find something at your local store or on our site, send a query and we will endeavor to find it for you.
Haley at the picnic! | |
